Discover Highly Engaging and innovative games!
Company News Hub
Stay updated with the latest news stories and developments related to our company's initiatives and achievements.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wharf Rat Games Contracts with Tawa Abiwa for “A Forlorn Hope”.
Baltimore, MD – Wharf Rat Games is proud to announce that they have contracted with the extremely talented Tawa Abiwa to do all the artwork and graphic design for “A Forlorn Hope”. Tawa has formerly worked with Ryan Heilman on the art for Blue Panther’s “The Struggle for Zorn: The Red Blight”.
About Tawa Abiwa
Tawakalitu “Tawa” Abiwa is an illustrator and graphic designer based in central Maryland, passionate about blending art with speculative biology and fashion. She graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, earning a BFA in Graphic Design, where she honed her skills in transforming complex ideas into accessible visuals.
Her work is driven by curiosity and a passion for exploring diverse perspectives in order to understand how they shape—and reshape—our shared reality.
In her process, she initially develops the worlds her characters inhabit, allowing these environments to influence her stylistic choices so that each character carries the essence of their world with them. She believes every piece exists within its own unique space—sometimes to be revisited and expanded upon, other times left as an undisturbed realm.
Her fascination with shape language began in a print production course, where she learned how fundamental shapes could create visual languages with emotional and symbolic meaning. That early interest evolved into a love for character design, where she focuses on using form, proportion, shape, and texture to mold visual elements into distinct identities.
For more information about the game or the company, please contact info@wharfratgames.com.
Wharf Rat Games – Games with Bite!
Tawa Abiwa - Press Release - February 7, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wharf Rat Games to release Hermann Luttmann’s “A Forlorn Hope”.
Baltimore, MD – Wharf Rat Games is proud to announce that they have obtained the exclusive worldwide rights to publish “A Forlorn Hope”, a World War I game by the Charles S. Roberts award winning designer Hermann Luttmann. The prototype for the game is nearing completion and playtesting will be starting soon. The company will have prototypes of the game to demo at several conventions this year including PrezCon, Origins, Circle DC, and the World Boardgaming Championships. The company plans to release the game through crowdfunding later this year.
About the Game & Designer
"A Forlorn Hope" is a captivating board game that immerses players in the gritty realities of World War I trench warfare, masterfully designed by the acclaimed Charles S. Roberts Award-winning designer, Hermann Luttmann. Renowned for his innovative games like "Dawn of the Zeds," "A Most Fearful Sacrifice," and "In Magnificent Style," Luttmann expands on his previous 'push-your-luck' games through the addition of cards to trigger activation creating a more engaging experience for all gamers. The game challenges players to navigate the complexities of battle by advancing their battalions through 'No Man's Land' while avoiding casualties and maintaining cohesion. Random drawn event cards and tactics counters provide variety to each game while multiple scenarios allow players to explore the different battles of World War I. "A Forlorn Hope" invites players to explore the harsh conditions of war through an enjoyable, immersive, and quick playing experience.
Players - 1-3 Players
Playing Time - 45-90 Minutes
Age - 14+
About the Company
Wharf Rat Games is a brand-new Baltimore based board game publisher that designs, markets and produces high-quality, innovative games with engaging themes. All games include high-quality components that rival industry leaders. The company prides itself in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and exploring diverse game types. “A Forlorn Hope” will be the first game release.
For more information about the game or the company, please contact info@wharfratgames.com.
If you are interested in playtesting the game, please contact info@wharfratgames.com.
Wharf Rat Games – Games with Bite!
"A Forlorn Hope" - Press Release - December 12, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wharf Rat Games Launches: A New Era of Board Game Innovation
www.wharfratgames.com
Baltimore, MD – Ryan Heilman and Wes Crawford are thrilled to announce the creation of Wharf Rat Games, a new board game company focused on producing high-quality, innovative games. With an emphasis on engaging themes and exceptional components, Wharf Rat Games will also prioritize working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and exploring unique game types with fresh, captivating topics.
About the Founders:
Ryan Heilman, an award-winning designer, is recognized for his acclaimed titles Brave Little Belgium, White Eagle Defiant, Ginormopod 2050 A.D: Attack of the Giant Bug Monsters, Lucky Little Luxembourg, The Struggle for Zorn: The Red Blight, and The Pursuit of John Wilkes Booth. He has also developed numerous other titles, including Comet, That Others May Live, Vive L'Empereur, A Shattered Union: Bring Out Your Men, Gentlemen!, Blood and Iron, Tattered Flags No. 01: Into the Whirlpool, and Land and Freedom.
Wes Crawford is the designer behind the much-anticipated titles Engine Thieves, Raid on St. Albans, and The Pursuit of John Wilkes Booth. His work is known for blending historical depth with strategic gameplay.
Wharf Rat Games Mission:
Wharf Rat Games aims to design, market and produce high-quality, innovative games with engaging themes and exceptional components that rival industry leaders, ensuring customer confidence in our brand, while working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and exploring diverse game types and digital implementations for future growth.
Call for Submissions:
Wharf Rat Games is actively seeking game submissions that meet the following criteria:
- Entertaining and engaging
- Interesting and novel topics
- Medium difficulty level
- Historical, science fiction, or fantasy themes
- Solitaire or multiplayer options (with solitaire required for multiplayer games)
- Polished and playtested games
- Must include a rulebook
What We Provide:
- Quick turnaround from contract signing to publication
- Dedicated service – we only work on one game at a time
- Experienced developers focused on polishing your game
- Social media and in-person presence at conventions
- Fair contract and competitive royalties
If you have a game that meets these criteria, we encourage you to submit your proposal to info@wharfratgames.com.
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact info@wharfratgames.com.
Wharf Rat Games – Games with Bite!
Company Launch - Press Release - September 9, 2024